PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
PETA took notice of the work done by Portland firefighters to save a kitten trapped in a sewage pipe.
Crews from Portland Fire & Rescue worked for six hours on Sunday night and into early Monday morning to save the animal.
Neighbors at Northeast 118th and Sandy first reported hearing the kitten's cries.
When firefighters arrived on the scene they discovered a whole series of pipes and the kitten could have been trapped in any one of them.
A plumber was eventually called in and a snake camera was able to track down the cat.
The crew cut the pipe and directed air into it so the kitten could find a way back to the opening.
The plan worked and firefighters took the kitten that they named "Champ" back to the station before handing her over to the Oregon Humane Society.
Champ is just 3 weeks old and should be available for adoption in four weeks.
For all their efforts to save the animal, PETA awarded Portland Fire & Rescue with the organization's Compassionate Fire Department Award.
"Thanks to the kindness and perseverance of the Portland Fire & Rescue crews, Champ, who got herself in a bundle of trouble, has a new lease on life," says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "Portland is very fortunate to have first responders who are ready to protect and serve the area's human and four-legged residents."
The firefighters will receive a framed certificate and a box of vegan chocolates from PETA.
Copyright 2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
